Georgia’s General Beauregard Lee ranks among most accurate weather-predicting groundhogs

NOAA’s ranking of weather groundhogs places Georgia’s General Beauregard Lee at #2, ahead of Punxsutawney Phil

(CNN)- As we bid farewell to what felt like an endless January, Groundhog Day is upon us once again. The big question: Will the Seer of Seers see his shadow?

But did you know Punxsutawney Phil isn’t the only weather-predicting critter out there? In fact, there are many meteorological mascots, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has compiled a lighthearted ranking of the most accurate ones.

And the results? Well, they might surprise you.

The Top Five Weather-Predicting Groundhogs

NOAA assessed 19 legendary forecasting furballs with at least 20 years of prediction history. Here’s who made the cut:

• #5 (Tie) – Gertie the Groundhog & Concord Charlie (65% accuracy)
  Gertie calls Illinois’ Wildlife Prairie Park home, while Concord Charlie hails from West Virginia. Fun fact: Charlie has never actually been seen by the public and is officially listed as a “presumed groundhog.” Seems totally legit.
• #3 – Lander Lil (75% accuracy)
  This Wyoming wonder isn’t even a live animal—it’s a statue that casts a shadow. Science, folks!
• #2 – General Beauregard Lee (80% accuracy)
  Hailing from Georgia, this groundhog has the most Georgia name ever and a strong prediction record to match. Bless his heart.
• #1 – Staten Island Chuck (85% accuracy)
  New York’s top prognosticator leads the pack. How does this jowly jabroni do it? Who knows—just fuhgeddaboudit!

And What About Punxsutawney Phil?

Surely America’s most famous groundhog ranks high, right? Well… not exactly.

Phil barely made the list, landing at #17 with a disappointing 35% accuracy. It seems that despite all the fanfare at Gobbler’s Knob, Phil’s forecasting skills leave much to be desired.

Maybe it’s time he sticks to his acting career.